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Pope's butler faces trial over Vatican leaks

Former butler Paolo Gabriele (far right) sitting in a courtroom for the start of his trial for leaking documents.

AFP: Osservatore Romano

The historic trial of the Pope's former butler has started in a court case that will offer a rare glimpse inside the workings of the secretive state.

Paolo Gabriele is accused of stealing confidential documents from Pope Benedict XVI's office and leaking them to the Italian media.

Gabriele said he had seen "evil and corruption everywhere in the church" and had felt compelled to leak documents to expose the alleged wrongdoings.

He said his aim was to help to correct the situation.

The 46-year-old father of three is alleged to have photocopied and leaked top-secret emails and letters, taken from the desk of Georg Gaenswein, the pope's private secretary.

The Vatican also allege Gabriele stole a $100,000 cheque made out to the Pope.

Mr Gaenswein, 56, who was Gabriele's superior, will be called to testify against his former charge, the court heard.

Mr Gaenswein confronted the butler about the leaks early in May after being tipped off by the Vatican police.

The court, after a first session of just over two hours that dealt with mainly addressing preliminary legal questions, fixed the next hearing for Tuesday.

Presiding judge Giuseppe Dalla Torre rejected almost all of the defence's requests, including one to declare parts of the case inadmissible because of the need to defend papal secrecy.

The defence also protested that the prosecution had not made clear what exactly Gabriele is accused of stealing.

Evidence confiscated from the butler's apartments - including copies of confidential documents, electronic copying equipment and gifts intended for the pope including a gold nugget - filled 82 boxes, the court was told.

The Vatican has said the 85-year-old Benedict is deeply hurt by the betrayal of confidence by someone he "knew, loved and respected".

Gabriele has confessed and written a letter begging the Pope for forgiveness, but that is not legally considered definitive proof for a conviction because he could have lied to protect fellow whistleblowers.

Journalists were required to leave mobile phones and pens in metal lockers outside the courtroom before passing through a metal detector, out of concern that there could be hidden recording devices which have been banned by the court.

They were given orange plastic pens instead from the Catholic charity Caritas.

Two Vatican gendarmes surveyed the room during the hearing, along with eight police officers who will be called to testify at future hearings.